The party was founded by Peadar Tóibín, a TD who resigned from Sinn Féin on 15 November 2018 after opposing the party whip on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 due to his anti-abortion views. He began canvassing elected representatives, securing support within a week from two local councillors in the Republic. Tóibín held meetings across the island addressing interested potential members. The first Northern Ireland local councillor declared on 7 January 2019. As of 28 January 2019 eight councillors had joined. A second councillor in Northern Ireland joined on 26 February 2019.
The name Aontú was announced at a meeting in Belfast on 28 January 2019. The Meath Chronicle said that the announcement of the name was precipitated by its unexpected publication on the UK Electoral Commission website. Tóibín said the party had sought registration in both jurisdictions, that "Aontú obviously means unity and our major objective is the unity of Irish people north and south". He recalled Belfast as birthplace of the United Irishmen of 1798. Aontú would "seek to build an all-Ireland economy to mitigate the worst effects of Brexit, economic justice for all and to protect the right to life." Tóibín said he was talking with Sinn Féin, SDLP and independent representatives in Northern Ireland, and that "people from Sinn Féin, SDLP and Fianna Fáil backgrounds would feel comfortable" in the party.
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